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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Premature labour- a handhold please

41 replies

FlyingLemur · 25/12/2017 12:59

I am hoping for a bit of a handhold as I’m feeling rather fragile and frankly terrified.

I’m 34 weeks pregnant. Getting pregnant in the first place was bloody difficult and took multiple rounds of IVF. This is the first time I’ve been pregnant and until 2 days ago, everything was going well. I was admitted with contractions and some bleeding 2 days ago. Things seemed to have settled down yesterday evening and I thought it was probably a false alarm, I was being a drama queen and I’d be able to go home this morning. Instead, that hasn’t happened and the contractions and bleeding have started again and I’m in labour.

I’m shit scared. I’m totally unprepared for this. Until about 2 weeks ago I struggled to believe there might actually be a baby at the end of the pregnancy and thought that maybe I’d somehow made it all up in my mind. Now I’m terrified that there will be something wrong with the baby (even though I know that at 34 weeks its chances are pretty good). I have been terrified of giving birth throughout the pregnancy and I feel totally unprepared for it-physically, emotionally and practically.

Added to this of course is that it’s sodding Christmas (although it doesn’t feel much like it) and I’m stuck in hospital feeling terrified, in pain and emotional. I don’t really know what I’m expecting from posting here, but just hoping someone can make me feel a bit better or at least less alone.

OP posts:
dissapointedafternoon · 25/12/2017 13:02

I just want to let you know you are not alone.

My son was born at 35 weeks by an emergency c section and was on the 3rd centile. I took him home after 5 days and he is now on the 97th centile and an absolute dream

Keep strong, it is very scary and I empathise with you. Even though it felt like the end of the world to me, the people who handled Alex's care did it for a living and they were well prepared when I wasn't prepared.

Xx

Lilychouchou · 25/12/2017 13:09

didn't want to read and run. Thinking of you and sending my best Flowers

TheSameCoin · 25/12/2017 13:13

34 weeks in early but only 3 weeks off full term. I know it must be very scary but your baby will be fine and so will you. Flowers

Chocolatecake12 · 25/12/2017 13:16

Sounds to me like your baby cannot wait to meet you. It wants to be the best Christmas present to you!
Yes it’s early but as pp have said not too scarily so.
Please keep us updated. Thinking of you x

Sparklesdontshine · 25/12/2017 13:16

Ahh don't be scared, just take whatever drugs they offer you and soon you will have your baby in your arms x

Alfiemoon1 · 25/12/2017 13:17

Thinking of u I myself was 8 weeks prem and 2lb 6 oz and my daughter was 7 weeks prem 2lb 11 oz she’s now a healthy 16 year old x

Moonflower12 · 25/12/2017 13:22

My 5 year old was born at 33 weeks by c- section. We went home 4 days later.
It is frightening but sending you lots of strength. Xxx

Moonflower12 · 25/12/2017 13:23

Forgot to add- she is a very robust girl with lots of attitude!

harrietm87 · 25/12/2017 13:23

I was born 6 weeks early just after xmas almost 31 years ago! I was absolutely fine. Good luck OP!

RJnomore1 · 25/12/2017 13:23

Oh love it's terrifying isn't it, I was there with dd2 except it started st 29 weeks, they managed to stop it til 32. She's 13 now huge hale and hearty but I remember how it feels to be there.

A few things

  • at 34 weeks your baby is pretty much done cooking. The last few weeks are getting bigger but they should be able to breath, suck, pretty much everything round about now. If they need a little help that's fine but the odds are well in your favour, as much as with a term birth
  • the hospital staff are amazing. They really know what they're doing and they really care. You read all the bad stuff in the papers but that's so unfair on them
  • the painkillers you can get in labour are also amazing. Don't be afraid to take them.

Fingers crossed for a quick and safe delivery and a lovely little additional Christmas present for you.

thingymaboob · 25/12/2017 13:30

Baby's can survive from 24 weeks now.

Fishwifey · 25/12/2017 13:31

I have a 29 weeker, 30 weeker and 35 weeker... and they’re all here driving me crackers, arguing over who’s going to play with which present.
Pre-term labour and birth is bloody terrifying. But sounds like you’re being well looked after and the little one is pretty much cooked now. Assuming scans etc have all been ok, chances are your baby will be fine. A quick stay on the neonatal unit, and you’ll be home. Have you had the steroid injection?

DustyMaiden · 25/12/2017 13:33

My DD was born 33 weeks 4 days, had no assistance with anything.

Best of luck.

DotCottonDotCom · 25/12/2017 13:41

Like a PP says, 34 is pretty much done cooking. After DD1 being 27 weeks, DD2 was 40+2 but all I prayed for was 33 weeks, that was my goal.

You will both, be just grand x

JimLahey · 25/12/2017 15:11

You are not alone Flowers

My son was born at 34 weeks and had a stay on NICU for a week and a half and we were out not long after. He was a tiny little thing but he'll is six months old today and looking at him you wouldn't really know. Hopefully it will turn out ok and chances are your lovely baby will be ok. X

smilethoyourheartisbreaking · 25/12/2017 15:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1471530109 · 25/12/2017 15:35

My 29 weeker is singing Justin Timberlake on her new microphone and arguing with her sister at the same time.

Good luck. Think of it as exciting! (I know it's scary. Xmas miracle) xx

CatkinToadflax · 25/12/2017 16:05

I have a 24 weeker aged 12. Whilst he was in NICU my best friend’s daughter was born at 34 weeks. She was small but otherwise fine, just spent a few days in SCBU putting on weight and learning to feed. Statistically a baby born at 34 weeks (which as a PP has said is only 3 weeks off term) is likely to do very well. Please try not to worry too much OP and have a lovely Christmas x

StillMissV · 25/12/2017 16:08

I hope reading all these ladies experiences ha helped somewhat, I know reading positive stories helped me when I was in labour at 31 weeks. They held my labour off for almost 2 more weeks and my son was born at 33+5 kicking and screaming, weighing 5lbs 6oz. He’s currently trashing my house and you’d never, ever know he had been prem.

Good luck and make sure you let us know how you are. I know it’s scary but honestly you’re really close to fully cooked, hopefully everything will be fine!xx

PinkAvocado · 25/12/2017 16:13

My DS was born at 34 weeks. Needed help to begin with to breathe and spent 3 weeks in the neonatal unit in hospital. He is now a wild toddler and you’d never know he was early. It was scary-he needed extra tests, lots of phototherapy under lights for jaundice so I won’t lie and say it was a breeze but the Nnu staff are incredible and you’ll both be in the best hands.

Original poster
FlyingLemur · 26/12/2017 07:31

Thank you all for your messages and sharing your stories. After I posted the OP, I got a bit busy with the business of being in labour. You’re all right, the as yet unnamed baby arrived late last night, small but otherwise fine.

OP posts:
Redehila · 26/12/2017 07:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

missy111 · 26/12/2017 07:35

Congratulations!! My 33 weeker is now 4, in age 5-6 clothes he's that bloody tall! He's also wonderful but already driving me demented and it's only 7.30am😂

MutualWeirdness · 26/12/2017 07:35

Congratulations! FlowersStarlovely news, thank you for the update

eurochick · 26/12/2017 08:06

Congratulations! I have an ivf 34 weeker, although it wasn't a surprise labour- I knew from 28 weeks there was a problem with blood flow through the placenta so we were closely monitored until it got too dangerous and she was delivered by section. She was tiny and weak, and was in nicu for just over three weeks, but is now a gorgeous bouncy three year old. The nicu period is tough but hopefully you will both be home too and can start life at home with your longed for baby. X

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